Ajarn

Just some good advice, based on my experiences..

Be VERY carefull with any Jeweler in Chiang Mai. Rip offs are standard here.

The Thai people are not bad drivers in my experience. I have driven over 1 million kilometers here in Thailand over the past 25 years of living here. I have never had an accident, but a couple of close calls. %99.9 of the car divers here are realitively safe drivers. It is the %.01 that worries me. I don't drive at night much when the drunk drivers abound, and I think that is a key to avoiding problems. Also, get rid of the motorcycle and buy a car. 90% of the accidents happen with a motorcycle. Also get some driving skills here before you set out.

The Thai-language school with the most punters is AUA along Ratchdamneon Road. I suggest take one of the townhouse type buildings nearer to Tha Pae Gate end of that road - loads of walk bys from AUA. Whatever you do, don't employ any of the old battle axes from AUA who teach Thai especially if their name begins with Malee. (Ajarn will be here to post how much he loves the battle axes within the next 2 minutes).

Please don't post needless bullshit about me.

We would like to rent at first. Building takes too long. We would like to open the doors in May or June. I am not sure if that would be mostly new arrivals. We have actually a very mixed group of students. I would be looking at anything from 200-400 m2 if there is parking available. I found something very nice in road 1001 but not sure if that is not a little too far.

Well, since hiway 1001 is more than 100 kilometers long, it might a lttle be too far. I live at kilomet tii 2, and it is too far for KFC

If you deposit on your own account and you're in the same region as your own bank branch is then there's no charge.

Same applies to withdrawing from an ATM.. even if you withdraw from your own bank's ATM but outside of your own branch' region then you're paying 20 baht.

It's all a bit antiquated. But then 'the stellar banking system' was not among my reasons to move here.

Kasikorn Thai preaches on their website, "No charges for withdrawls from our ATM's"

I have lived in Tanawan 1 for 8 years, and I have never seen a farang who lives here, thank god

Cratchaty old Ajarn

I will have to get directions to Tanawan. If I lived there, between the two of us most Thai's would probably move out also

Maybe moving Thais out seems like a good idea to a guy like you.

But I'm quite happy if you stay away

Hi,

Does Bank of Ayudha have internet banking?

I'm not used to being charged money to DEPOSIT and withdraw from my own banks ATM's in my country. However, this seems the norm here, is that so with all banks and bank accounts offered?

Thanks

It is not the norm with Kasikorn Thai bank. No charges to deposit (in my experience) and no charges from their ATM's

I have lived in Tanawan 1 for 8 years, and I have never seen a farang who lives here, thank god

Cratchaty old Ajarn

They make a very fine mojito at the Chedi. OK I know it's not exactly priced for the average persons daily sundowner but they are good.

Best time to try them is to splash out for the Jazz Sunday Brunch - freeflow mojitos 11.30-3pm as well as a truly excellent buffet which includes ordering tasting type portions off their standard menu. It is relatively expensive at 1,000 baht a head but as treat every couple of months it is an awesome way to spend a Sunday lunch.

Enjoy

Thank you very much! Next Sunday, I have a place to go

I have also entered Burma a number of times with just my 1 year retirement visa. They ask me if I want it stamped, and I always say 'no'. The best idea I think is to get a re-entry permit. It is a lot safer than getting a new visa..

What is the worst thing that could happen if your threat to boycot the Chiang Mai Mail actually happens?

Nothing much that I can see, and nothing that effects me at all.

I've been using Siam TV's aircons the past few years with no problem at all. Currently, my house has 3 aircons, all Toshiba, Minimum 14,500 to 21,000 btu. For me the best are the bigger sizes. I had a 9000 btu for a few years, but upgraded because on the hottest days, 9000 btu was not powerful enough for my 4m x 5m office. I like a nice chill

Hey look, a friendly message from Blinky. It's a miracle.

Friendly posts from Ajarn are also few and far between, those days. Another miracle

My posts are always friendly to friendly people

I apologize for not being more clear. I mean, public transportation to Mae Sai from Pai...

Take a bus to Chiang Dao then another to Chiang Rai via Fang, then to Mai Sai. Return to Pai in the reverse order.

Or take a bus to Chiang Mai, a bus to Mai Sai, and reverse order back

Chiang Daw might save you an hour, but the busses to Chiang Rai don't seem that comfortable, and the ride through Fang to Chiang Rai would cause you to lose that hour.

They are not Thai, nor are they longnecks either.

O/K they are not Thai and their necks are not long but if you are not answering my questions why bother replying?

To show your stupid ignorance and to tell you the truth.

C'mon Ajarn, ease up, but then again perhaps you have been having a bad day (perhaps a few bad days by the look of it )

The guy asked a civil (and reasonable) question and you come back with a bag of vitriol

Why don't you stop whining about my responses

I'll stop "whining" when you stop your stupid and condescending posts, I do not believe that you are an authority on all things pertaining to Thailand (even though it appears that you claim to be the oracle of the millennium)

You believe what you want, as I will believe what I want.

Its a canvas print of a photograph 50cm * 30cm * 5cm, I dont think it will go through as documents. I'm going to have to declare a value £50, just not sure what taxes will have to be paid on arrival.

Feel free to follow your own advice

They are not Thai, nor are they longnecks either.

O/K they are not Thai and their necks are not long but if you are not answering my questions why bother replying?

To show your stupid ignorance and to tell you the truth.

C'mon Ajarn, ease up, but then again perhaps you have been having a bad day (perhaps a few bad days by the look of it )

The guy asked a civil (and reasonable) question and you come back with a bag of vitriol

Why don't you stop whining about my responses

I would imagine that the Big Story is now history, and that nothing new will be hapening to the Burmese in the news

And so is it necessary to declare a value?? What is the best way of doing this??

Only if you want to do it legally. Declare the value on the form you were provided.

Personally, I would declare it has a value less than $25, which means (hopefully still)

You won't be charged anything except the DHL fee.

is there no one on here in pai?

Maybe no guesthouse in Pai has in-room internet

Hi,

Just a quick question, I'm sending a canvas print photograph from the UK to Chiang Mai tomorrow using DHL. Can anyone advise what tax will have to be paid when it arrives?

Thanks in advance,

Jay

My guess, from experience, is that you won't have to pay a formal tax for a photograph, but you will be charged something like 800 baht by DHL...

Chiang Mai university has some MBA courses for farangs. I taught a couple of courses there many years ago, so I'm assuming they still have them.

They are not Thai, nor are they longnecks either.

O/K they are not Thai and their necks are not long but if you are not answering my questions why bother replying?

To show your stupid ignorance and to tell you the truth.

They are not Thai, nor are they longnecks either.

Every digital camera has a long pause between clicking and taking the photo. The only way around this is to press a little first, allowing the meter and focusing to work, then when you are ready, simply press the shutter all the way, and 'click'